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3

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i manage to steer the conversation away from paige and towards the other players on the team. i was still hung up on the fact that she talked about me. i would've thought she had forgotten about me. it's been years. 

all throughout the car ride, i get quick introductions to the basketball team, learning little things about my new teammates. i'm incredibly grateful nika for making me feel to welcome. 

"this is it! i can help you bring up your suitcases if you want?" nika hops out of the car and opens the trunk. i hadn't brought much directly from lsu, not that i had much in my dorm there either. i sent the rest of it on a moving truck a couple days before i left, in hops it would arrive soon after i arrived. 

"that'd be great! thank you!" nika and i grab my bags and start lugging them up the stairs. we get to my dorm, which is a single. there's one really big room, with a couch, a bed, a plain desk, and a small closet. "this is amazing! a lot better than my old dorm!" 

"i'm glad you like it!" nika giggles, dropping my stuff off. "i'm gonna give you some time to settle in. i'm in the last dorm in the hallway, to your left. let me know if you need anything."

"thank you so much! you're literally amazing!" 

"no problem! remember, 9 am. gym! coach wants you to meet everyone!" nika closes the door behind her, leaving me alone with my thoughts. 

tomorrow. 9 am. i would see her. paige bueckers. it was hard to avoid seeing her online. she was the paige bueckers. she was famous. it was also hard to not see her as attractive. her blonde hair and blue eyes. i would be an idiot not to think she was pretty. 

but i also hate her. 

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i stare at the ball in my hands. it was hard to focus, knowing that tomorrow i would see the love of life again. i dribble the ball a couple times and shoot. miss.